Targeting Doctrine?

[virtualpender]

I know at the beginning of the war that US doctrine was to fire no more than one or two torpedoes per target with the magnetic exploder set and priority went to capital warships. At some point the doctrine shifted to firing several torpedos at a target using the contact exploder and with priority given to tankers and large merchantmen. Does anyone know when the doctrine actually shifted? Any help is appreciated.

Thanks.

[SteamWake]

I would imagine that the 'doctrine' as to the number of torpedos was altered as soon as the captains became aware of the high failure rates.

Im sure someone will have more solid history on the subject but thats my guess

[Seminole]

I can't answer that but I can refer you to a work that surely has it covered:

" Hoyt, Edwin P. Submarines at War--The History of the American Silent Service"

Not the most exciting book I have ever read.Really kind of dry, but he does go into fine detail about WWII submarine operations with emphasis on times and dates of just the very thing you asked about.

[virtualpender]

Seminole - thanks. I picked up a used copy today.

[gAiNiAc]

Another great book on the subject:

http://www.amazon.com/Silent-Victory.../dp/155750217X

Doctrine didn't change as much as the US spent 2 years fixing the Mk-14........1943 is when things started to get "better"....